A sign in Melbourne encouraging people to wear masks as the city's residents entered a seven-day lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. AFP
A sign in Melbourne encouraging people to wear masks as the city's residents entered a seven-day lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19. AFP
A resident outside the Pangsapuri Permai housing estate, which is under an enhanced movement control order because of a severe increase in the number of Covid-19 cases recorded over the past 10 days in Cheras, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
A resident outside the Pangsapuri Permai housing estate, which is under an enhanced movement control order because of a severe increase in the number of Covid-19 cases recorded over the past 10 days in Cheras, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo
A mural in Denpasar, Bali, to spread awareness about the prevention of the coronavirus in Indonesia. AP Photo
A mural in Denpasar, Bali, to spread awareness about the prevention of the coronavirus in Indonesia. AP Photo
A sign for contactless service outside a store during a lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. The city is ordering residents to stay home for the fourth time since the pandemic began as the return of infections tests the country's zero-tolerance approach to the virus. Bloomberg
A sign for contactless service outside a store during a lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. The city is ordering residents to stay home for the fourth time since the pandemic began as the return of infections tests the country's zero-tolerance approach to the virus. Bloomberg
Kaironesa Suleman Allie, 76, receives a first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Karl Bremer Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa is in a race against time to vaccinate as many people as possible with signs the virus may be surging again. AP Photo
Kaironesa Suleman Allie, 76, receives a first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Karl Bremer Hospital, in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa is in a race against time to vaccinate as many people as possible with signs the virus may be surging again. AP Photo
Medical officers in personal protective equipment conduct a Covid-19 coronavirus test on a woman in southern Thailand's Yala province, amid an increase in active case numbers in the region. AFP
Medical officers in personal protective equipment conduct a Covid-19 coronavirus test on a woman in southern Thailand's Yala province, amid an increase in active case numbers in the region. AFP
A pedestrian passes portraits of former Chinese leaders Zhou Enlai, left, Mao Zedong, centre, and Liu Shaoqi in Beijing, China. Bloomberg
A pedestrian passes portraits of former Chinese leaders Zhou Enlai, left, Mao Zedong, centre, and Liu Shaoqi in Beijing, China. Bloomberg
Covid-19 patient Celso da Silva Costa, 76, receives a visit from his wife Tania Lucia Mauricio at the Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital allows vaccinated family members to visit their loved ones, an indication that vaccination rates are beginning to climb in the state and a glimmer of hope for residents after more than a year of pandemic restrictions. AP Photo
Covid-19 patient Celso da Silva Costa, 76, receives a visit from his wife Tania Lucia Mauricio at the Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Ronaldo Gazolla Hospital allows vaccinated family members to visit their loved ones, an indication that vaccination rates are beginning to climb in the state and a glimmer of hope for residents after more than a year of pandemic restrictions. AP Photo
A worker in Rio de Janeiro passes in front of a sign at a Fiocruz production facility that reads in Portuguese: "We produce the Covid-19 vaccine here." Brazil has administered 64 million Covid vaccine doses, with an average rate estimated at 659,189 doses per day. Bloomberg
A worker in Rio de Janeiro passes in front of a sign at a Fiocruz production facility that reads in Portuguese: "We produce the Covid-19 vaccine here." Brazil has administered 64 million Covid vaccine doses, with an average rate estimated at 659,189 doses per day. Bloomberg
Administering a second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine to a patient in a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Kigali, Rwanda. AFP
Administering a second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccine to a patient in a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Kigali, Rwanda. AFP
Braulia Amarilla, 75, being injected with a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Asuncion, Paraguay. AP Photo
Braulia Amarilla, 75, being injected with a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Asuncion, Paraguay. AP Photo

Health

What are the Covid-19 variants and how do Alpha, Beta and Delta differ?

A new labelling system using the Greek alphabet was devised by the WHO

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

June 09, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Global health chiefs renamed coronavirus variants in an effort to remove any stigma associated with the countries they are associated with.

Under the new system devised by the World Health Organisation, variants are no longer identified by the area or country of their discovery, such as the Indian, South African or Kent strains.

Greek letters have instead been assigned to the strains in the order they were designated variants of concern, starting at Alpha, for the strain first detected in the UK last year.

The scientific names used for the variants were also ruled out for regular use as they could be deemed too complicated to remember.

Viruses have often been named after the place where they emerged, like Ebola, which was named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

But that has been damaging to the countries’ reputations, WHO said.

Read More

WHO renames Covid variants after Greek alphabet

Matt Hancock: UK ‘freedom day’ could be delayed by Indian coronavirus variant

It lists 10 Covid-19 strains, four of which are described as variants of concern and six variants of interest.

Here we explain the new names and what you need to know about the strains.

Variants of concern:

Delta - Indian variant/B1617.2

This was first detected in October in India, where it led to a second wave that has receded.

The strain includes mutations which make it more transmissible and help it evade the body’s immune response.

The UK recently said it was estimated to be 40 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which itself was also more transmissible than the original strain.

Roy Cooper / The National
Roy Cooper / The National

And vaccines appear to be less effective against it.

Research from the UK, where the strain has recently become dominant, suggests people who have received the Pfizer vaccine generate fewer antibodies against it compared to other variants.

The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, found that people fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech are likely to have more than five times lower levels of neutralising antibodies against it.

Madhura Patil, a health worker, gestures as she receives the Covid-19 vaccine in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, standing beside her, in Mumbai, India. AP Photo
Madhura Patil, a health worker, gestures as she receives the Covid-19 vaccine in the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, standing beside her, in Mumbai, India. AP Photo
A woman is vaccinated against Covid-19 at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
A woman is vaccinated against Covid-19 at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
An Indian health worker holds up the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine, developed by Oxford University and Astra-Zeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, at the Government General Hospital in Jayanagar, Bangalore. EPA
An Indian health worker holds up the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine, developed by Oxford University and Astra-Zeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, at the Government General Hospital in Jayanagar, Bangalore. EPA
A beneficiary gets the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine shot manufactured by Serum Institute of India at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
A beneficiary gets the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine shot manufactured by Serum Institute of India at Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai, India. EPA
A Kashmiri doctor receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a government hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir. AP Photo
A Kashmiri doctor receives a Covid-19 vaccine at a government hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir. AP Photo
A doctor carries a freezer box with Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
A doctor carries a freezer box with Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
Medical workers wait to be inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
Medical workers wait to be inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine at the King Koti hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
Sanitation worker Manish Kumar, who according to the officials is the first person in India to be vaccinated against Covid-19, receives a dose of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccines at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi. Reuters
Sanitation worker Manish Kumar, who according to the officials is the first person in India to be vaccinated against Covid-19, receives a dose of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccines at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi. Reuters
Medical workers wait to be inoculated against Covid-19 at a hospital in New Delhi. AFP
Medical workers wait to be inoculated against Covid-19 at a hospital in New Delhi. AFP
A security guard keeps watch at a Covid-19 vaccination centre New Delhi. AFP
A security guard keeps watch at a Covid-19 vaccination centre New Delhi. AFP
Health workers queue to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Mumbai. AFP
Health workers queue to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Mumbai. AFP
A medical worker prepares to inoculate a doctor with a Covid-19 vaccine at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Kolkata. AFP
A medical worker prepares to inoculate a doctor with a Covid-19 vaccine at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Kolkata. AFP
Employees wearing protective masks wait to welcome health workers at the Dr R N Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai, India. Bloomberg
Employees wearing protective masks wait to welcome health workers at the Dr R N Cooper Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai, India. Bloomberg

According to Public Health England (PHE), three weeks after the first dose of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca-Oxford, both vaccines were around 33 per cent effective against symptomatic disease, versus 50 per cent against Alpha.

Its latest risk assessment said there is a “high level of uncertainty” about AstraZeneca’s effectiveness against the strain after two doses.

A report by PHE also said people infected by the strain are also twice as likely to end up in hospital than with Alpha. It has been linked to cases of “unprecedented damage” to the pancreas in otherwise healthy people in India.

For these reasons, scientists say the strain is the worst seen to date.

Gamma - Brazil variant/P1

This strain is believed to have emerged in mid-November in Brazil in the Amazonian city of Manaus, which was hit by two waves of the virus.

Mutations make it more transmissible and give it the ability to escape previous immunity.

Data collected in Manaus suggested the variant may be twice as transmissible as previous strains, and could evade up to half of immune defences from previous infections.

People who had the virus before have around 54 to 79 per cent protection against P1.

That explains why the variant led to a deadlier second wave, overwhelming hospitals again, even after studies suggested more than three quarters of the population had already had the virus.

Vaccines also appear to be weaker against it.

In lab tests, antibodies produced by Pfizer’s vaccine could not attach as well compared to the original virus.

Beta - South Africa variant/B1351

This strain was first detected in South Africa in early October, but not publicly announced until December, when authorities said it appeared to affect younger people more than previous variants.

It has since been found in more than 80 countries.

It carries a mutation called E484K, which helps the virus elude a person’s immune system.

And the vaccines do not work as well against it, in particular AstraZeneca, which offers only 10 per cent protection against mild to moderate illness caused by the strain.

Residents queue for a coronavirus nasal swab test, in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Residents queue for a coronavirus nasal swab test, in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters
Children wearing protective masks wait to enter the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station in Mumbai, India. Reuters
Children wearing protective masks wait to enter the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus railway station in Mumbai, India. Reuters
A couple pass an electronic stock board of a securities company in Tokyo. Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday after Wall Street hit a high following an uptick in US inflation and an order by regulators to suspend use of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine. AP Photo
A couple pass an electronic stock board of a securities company in Tokyo. Asian stock markets rose on Wednesday after Wall Street hit a high following an uptick in US inflation and an order by regulators to suspend use of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine. AP Photo
An activist in a coronavirus mask bearing the colours of the Lebanese flag and the UN resolution numbers calling for the disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. She was at a sit-in in Beirut, Lebanon, to mark the 47th anniversary of the 1975-1990 civil war, in which more than 150,000 people were killed. AP Photo
An activist in a coronavirus mask bearing the colours of the Lebanese flag and the UN resolution numbers calling for the disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. She was at a sit-in in Beirut, Lebanon, to mark the 47th anniversary of the 1975-1990 civil war, in which more than 150,000 people were killed. AP Photo
A nurse administers a dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Nowon District public health centre in Seoul, South Korea. The country resumed inoculations with the AstraZeneca shot this week after a suspension, but will limit use to those between 30 and 60 years old. Bloomberg
A nurse administers a dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Nowon District public health centre in Seoul, South Korea. The country resumed inoculations with the AstraZeneca shot this week after a suspension, but will limit use to those between 30 and 60 years old. Bloomberg
Actress Thais Bezerra puts on a mask made from a plastic bottle as she gets dressed in her costume to perform in a video recording of 'Giant Dreamers' outside the Museum of Modern Art during the Covid-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP Photo
Actress Thais Bezerra puts on a mask made from a plastic bottle as she gets dressed in her costume to perform in a video recording of 'Giant Dreamers' outside the Museum of Modern Art during the Covid-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP Photo
A woman receives the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Belisario Porras School, in Panama City, Panama. The president of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, announced that another batch of Pfizer vaccines will arrive, assuring that the country has enough doses. EPA
A woman receives the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Belisario Porras School, in Panama City, Panama. The president of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, announced that another batch of Pfizer vaccines will arrive, assuring that the country has enough doses. EPA
A health worker administers a dose of Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine at an inoculation centre in San Salvador, El Salvador. Reuters
A health worker administers a dose of Sinovac's CoronaVac vaccine at an inoculation centre in San Salvador, El Salvador. Reuters
Students from Suffolk County Community College prepare to get vaccinated during a news conference at the school in Brentwood, New York. Several colleges in the state announced the cancellation of vaccination clinics using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. AP Photo
Students from Suffolk County Community College prepare to get vaccinated during a news conference at the school in Brentwood, New York. Several colleges in the state announced the cancellation of vaccination clinics using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. AP Photo
People receive the China National Biotec Group Covid-19 vaccine in Chongqing municipality in south-west China. AFP
People receive the China National Biotec Group Covid-19 vaccine in Chongqing municipality in south-west China. AFP

Research in Qatar found people who received the Pfizer vaccine were 75 per cent less likely to develop Covid-19.

Alpha - Kent variant/B117

Tests showed the variant first emerged in the UK in Kent in late September.

At the end of October the strain accounted for only 3 per cent of cases in England.

But by the start of February the share had soared to 96 per cent, causing a third wave across the country.

It also became dominant in the US.

That was because the strain is significantly more transmissible than the original virus which emerged in Wuhan.

And because more people become sick, more people are put in hospital if they catch it.

Data suggested the strain is 30 to 70 per cent more lethal than the original strain.

But it does not escape antibodies from natural infection or vaccines.

A trial from the UK found the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine was 70.4 per cent effective against symptomatic Covid-19 caused by the variant.

Pfizer is 89.5 per cent effective against the strain, at least 14 days after the second dose.

Variants of interest:

Epsilon - B.1.427/B.1.429

It was first designated a variant of interest on March 5 and is common in California. It is believed to be about 20 per cent more infectious, and carries the L452R mutation, which is believed to increase immune evasion and binding to cells.

Zeta - P2

Identified as a a variant of interest later in March, it was discovered in Brazil in April, 2020. It includes the E484 mutation in the spike. There is limited information on whether monoclonal antibody therapies and antibodies generated post-vaccination are affected by it.

Eta - B.1.525

Eta was first detected in Nigeria but has since been found in other countries. It was designated a variant of interest at the same time as Zeta.

It includes the E484K mutation, which is believed to help the virus avoid the immune system, and possibly vaccine-induced antibodies.

Theta - P.3

Theta was identified in the Philippines in January before being designated a variant of interest in March. It also includes the E484K mutation.

Iota - B.1.526

The strain was detected in New York and identified as a variant of interest in late March.

There are two forms of the variant, one of which includes the E484K mutation, while the other includes the S477N mutation, which is believed to help the virus bind more tightly to cells.

Kappa - B.1.617

Detected in India in October, it was classified as a variant of interest in April. It split into two lineages, one of which, B.1.617.2, has since become a variant of concern.

WHO has said has demonstrated increased transmissibility in some areas, but appears to be declining. It carries two mutations believed to be of concern, L452R and E484Q, termed as an escape mutation as it helps the virus slip past the body's immune system.

Comment on Coronavirus
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
RESULT

Valencia 3

Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'

Ferran Torres 67'

Atlanta 4

Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
On Women's Day
The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

More coverage from the Future Forum
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On Women's Day
UAE - India ties

The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China

Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion

The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India

Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015

His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016

Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017

Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25

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The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 3 (Kroos 4', Ramos 30', Marcelo 37')

Eibar 1 (Bigas 60')

Company Profile

Company name: Fine Diner

Started: March, 2020

Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and food delivery

Initial investment: Dh75,000

Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp

Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000

Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months

Spec%20sheet
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7%22%20Retina%20HD%2C%201334%20x%20750%2C%20625%20nits%2C%201400%3A1%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EChip%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20A15%20Bionic%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%204-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%2C%20f%2F1.8%2C%205x%20digital%20zoom%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%2B%40%2024%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full%20HD%2B%40%2030%2F60fps%2C%20HD%2B%40%2030%20fps%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFront%20camera%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7MP%2C%20f%2F2.2%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3B%20HD%20video%2B%40%2030fps%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%2015%20hours%20video%2C%2050%20hours%20audio%3B%2050%25%20fast%20charge%20in%2030%20minutes%20with%2020W%20charger%3B%20wireless%20charging%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Touch%20ID%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP67%2C%20dust%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%201m%20for%2030%20minutes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C849%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Company profile

Company name: Suraasa

Started: 2018

Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker

Based: India, UAE and the UK

Industry: EdTech

Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding

Aggro%20Dr1ft
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Harmony%20Korine%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Jordi%20Molla%2C%20Travis%20Scott%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm

Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: from Dh155,000

On sale: now

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How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
if you go

The flights

Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav. 

The tour

While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).

 

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

THE SPECS

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8​​​​​​​

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 542bhp​​​​​​​

Torque: 680Nm​​​​​​​

Price: Dh465,071

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While you're here
Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

On Women's Day
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